The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-07-24
BUFFALO BILLS LONG RIDE.

bale,
BUFFALO BiLL'S LONG RIDE.
The London Globe: On return
ing from long ride, in which had
been much harassed by the Indians,
| was one night accosted by Curtis,
the chief OF the scouts, who was in a
difficulty. The general was anxious
to send sou e dispatches to Gen.
Sheridan at Fort Hays, some eight
miles of. The scouts available did
not freeze on to the job They urged
that they were not sufficiently we'll
acquainted with the country to 20 by
night. The dispatch was important.
and so Curtis came to me and asked
me il was not too tired to volun.
teer. 1t was rather ticklish piece
Of work. The whole country was
lined by Indians. 1t was dark
night and storm was threatening.
However, the dispatches had to be
sent off, and so | asseuted, bargain
ing only that | should be provided
with the best mount in the fort. This
was readily assented to, the scouts
took fond farewell Of me, and with
their wishes OF success ringing in my
ears, | set out on my long ride.
The night was dark as pitch, but
this gave me ell the better chance Of
escaping the Indians. My greatest
danger was lest my horse should
stumble in hole and run away ,leav-
ing me on he prairie. To prevent
such a catastrophe l tied one end of
my rawhide lariat to the bride. and
the other to my belt, wise precau-
ton, for within few miles my horse
fell twice IN prairie dogs holes, and
got away before | could get hold of
the bride, but when he got TO the
l,ngth OF the lariat be discovered
that he was picketed to Bison Bill,
which considerably abaied his play
fulness. In this way / proceeded
through the night, and reached Wal
nut Greek, twenty. five miles out, in
good time. 1t was here that | met
with my first adventure. Going
slowly through the darkness, | sud
denly found myself in the midst OF a
number OF horses, which, becoming
frightened, speedily moved of 10
all directions. | knew at once that
| was near Indians, so without wait
ing TO apologize, | cleared out as
quickly as possible. just as | thought
myself clear, q dog barked a few
yards away, aud then | heard some
redskins talking. They did more
than talk, too. They mounted their
mustangs aud gave chase. | urged
my horse TO iull speed and succeeded
in getting away withoutloss Of life.
continued my way for several
miles in a straight course, aud
pushed on toward Smoky Hill river.
/ reached this point soon after !
o'closk in the morning, and then
pushing northward | struck the old
santa Fe trail ten miles from Fort
Hays just as day was breaking. Ar.
rived at the pest soon after reveille
| made straight for Gen. Sheridan't
headquarters, aud presented my dis
patches in person. was most cor
daily received by the general, aud
having food aud seen tina, my horse
was we'll cared Tor, thought | woulC
proceed 10 take little rest. Ii was
however, not TO be, for was sud
denly sent for by the general, whC
wished to see me. As i pproacheC
headquarters ! noticed number Of
scouts grouped together, and evident
~ engaged Ia discussing somethin,
important, aud | soon learned whai
this was. Gen. Sheridan desired 4
send an important dispatch 10 For
DODGE, a distance OF ninety-hv,
miles. Volunteers were requested
but none responded. The genera
told me this. aud what could | do2
General" | said, iii there is NJ
one ready 10 volunteer, I'll carr!
your dispatches myself"
The general expressed himsel
greatly pleased at my offer, but at III,
same time said that he had no
thought o. asking me 10 undertak,
the duty, AZ | had been fully har,
worked already. But il was very i'm
portant that the dispatches shoul'
20.
III you don't get a courier by
o'clock this afternoon I'll do the busi
ness" responded, but | mu nav,
fresh hor,e, aud meantime will ak,
little rest" Ii was not much res
that | got but punotually aFi o'clOcI
III announced myself ready, ant
mounting a fresh horse, started OF
tho road. | crossed Smoky Hil
river at dark, aud Il was just day
light IA | rode up to Sam Log Cross
ing, on the PAwnee Fork, whor
company Of colored cavalry was post
cd, under Maj Cox. Here ! got
fresh horse, aud continuing my lionel
ride, covered the renal ing twenty
Eve miles to Fort DODGE, aud arrives
soon after . o'clock, without hayin
seen a single Indian.
Having delivered my dispatohe
aud rested an hour ! was iuiorme,
that the commander wished 20 son'
some dispatches 10 Fort Larned, M
own post. |, Of course, readily un
dertook 20 carry these, aud my ufe
was gladly accepted by the general
provided | thought | could stan
the trip after my recent fatigue"
"All ] want is . fresh horse, sir,
| said.
Here was the difficulty. Their
was not such a thing as a decen
horse available, the only animals I
be had being government mules, Q
which there was large choice.
made no difficulty about this. "rrC
oul your mule" | said, and ! al
ready now - -. -.
The mule was rapidly Forthcoming
and at dark | started once moro o
the road for Fort Larn,d. aud pre-
I ~